Russia: Iran Must Withdraw Its Complaint for the S-300 Deal to Be Executed

Moscow emphasized that Russia's condition for the full delivery of the S-300 system to Iran is that Tehran withdraws its complaint from the international court. According to Interfax news agency, Dmitry Rogozin, the Deputy Prime Minister of Russia, stated on Friday, December 27, that Russia will deliver the first shipment of the S-300 missile defense system to Iran under its new contract with Tehran in the near future. He then mentioned that our precondition for delivering the S-300 system to Iran is that it withdraws its complaint from international jurisdiction unconditionally. These remarks come after Vladimir Kozhin, an assistant to the Russian President on military affairs, announced 15 days ago the start of the delivery process of the S-300 air defense system to Iran. However, from Dmitry Rogozin's statements, it appears that the exact timing of this defensive system's delivery to Iran is still unclear. Mr. Rogozin only stated that 'both Iran and Russia are well aware that the implementation of this agreement is impossible without Iran withdrawing its complaint.' He further said, 'The issue is which side will take the first step. We have decided that both will take a step forward simultaneously.' The story of the sale of the S-300 missile defense system to Iran dates back to 2007 when Tehran and Moscow signed a contract worth $800 million. However, with the onset of international sanctions against Iran in 2010, Russia suspended this contract, which led to Iran's protests and complaints to international authorities. Iran has demanded $4 billion in compensation from Russia, but ultimately, Vladimir Putin, the President of Russia, authorized the delivery of the S-300 system to Iran in April of this year.